glass blasting
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 479
From: Kemptville, ON,
glass blasting
So I just found this part of the web site. Normally hang out in the fat fender section of the site. I am going to try and blast my '53 before using epoxy primer. Told by a few people that is the way to go. So I have borrowed a small blaster and bought some glass media. It is the fine size. So what do I need to know about? What pressure should I be using? I will practice on an old tailgate first as I can't afford to wreak any of the good parts.
Thanks
Marten
Thanks
Marten
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
IMHO, practice of a thin piece of sheetmetal 1st.......you should never be faced directly to the object you are blasting because you can warp the body panels because of impact pressure or heat....always at an angle.......
PSI, etc. is gun mfg spec.....Given the vehicle you are working on, IMHO, I would definitely get with someone who owns a similar unit to get pointers, and maybe some hands on experience...otherwise you may very well end up looking for replacement sheetmetal......and I am serious when I say tht you can warp a panel beyond usability.....even the ol 1053 steel.
PSI, etc. is gun mfg spec.....Given the vehicle you are working on, IMHO, I would definitely get with someone who owns a similar unit to get pointers, and maybe some hands on experience...otherwise you may very well end up looking for replacement sheetmetal......and I am serious when I say tht you can warp a panel beyond usability.....even the ol 1053 steel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Found the glass bead, alum oxide, or light medium in general can travel couple hundred yards so it is important to confine the medium so it does not impact on neighbors, or surrounding vehicles. Anyhow, food for thought?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,861
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
First - no I have not done this just the way I am thinking.
I don't know if I would use glass bead or alum oxide on sheet metal because of the heat and warping it can cause.
I think I would look into soda blasting then if you come across rust only hit it with the glass bead or alum oxide.
I don't think walnut shell would cut into paint layers but could be wrong?
Because I don't have a blaster to strip paint & rust I use Eastwoods pads on an air grinder. 7 Inch Cleaning / Stripping Disc System
Dave ----
I don't know if I would use glass bead or alum oxide on sheet metal because of the heat and warping it can cause.
I think I would look into soda blasting then if you come across rust only hit it with the glass bead or alum oxide.
I don't think walnut shell would cut into paint layers but could be wrong?
Because I don't have a blaster to strip paint & rust I use Eastwoods pads on an air grinder. 7 Inch Cleaning / Stripping Disc System
Dave ----
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
Also be aware any breathing of silica dust (by you or someone nearby) is carcinogenic. It does break down into almost a talcum power like consistency so can travel very far with even the slightest breeze. Most shops using glass beads do so in a cabinet using a air recirculating system for this reason.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,099
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
Also be aware any breathing of silica dust (by you or someone nearby) is carcinogenic. It does break down into almost a talcum power like consistency so can travel very far with even the slightest breeze. Most shops using glass beads do so in a cabinet using a air recirculating system for this reason.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 479
From: Kemptville, ON,
Thanks for the tips guys, really appreciated. I did a test sample on a fender that I will not be using for my final build. The paint came off but I was left with a satin silvery surface that was easily sanded away with some 120 grit. then I was down to raw sheet metal. Is this what I should be expecting.
Before using the epoxy primer should I still wash the metal with some metal prep product?
Before using the epoxy primer should I still wash the metal with some metal prep product?
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Once you sand the profile off the blasted surface with 120 grit you can prep it with some wax and grease remove or prepsol then give it a coat with etch primer before you epoxy prime it, alway wear protective gloves, spray suit and a good breathing apparatus.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
54fever
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Nov 12, 2006 10:30 AM